Ranchi, July 19 (IANS) He is probably the youngest barber in India. But seven-year-old Praduman Thakur of Jharkhand is already an expert. And there is always a long queue outside his shop.
Praduman, a resident of Ramgarh in Hazaribagh district, picked up the skills from Ram Tahal, his 65-year-old father, a barber for decades who has called it a day.
As Praduman is his eldest son, the onus of supporting the family has fallen on the boy.
Praduman was just five years old when he began learning how to shave beards and cut hair.
“When I found my father was unable to work and my family was facing problems as there was nobody to earn money, I decided to adopt my father’s profession,” said the boy.
The young lad charges Rs.2 for a hair cut and Rs.1 for a shave. He manages to earn between Rs.30 and Rs.35 a day. The low charges combined with Praduman’s neat fingers and dedication has won him many clients.
No one really sees him as a child worker.
“Praduman is showing a path to young people looking for employment. I prefer to get my hair cut and beard shaved from him. He talks well and keeps everyone happy with his work,” said Nagendra Mahto, a resident of Ramgarh.
Praduman is a Class 2 student at a local primary school but cannot afford to go to school regularly. He attend classes whenever possible.
His mother Kullo Devi is proud of him but does not want Praduman to become a barber by profession.
“The situation forced my child to work as barber. But I do not want him to continue in the profession for a long period of time. I want to see a pen in his hand instead of the knife,” she said.